Deep cleaning your carpets probably is isn’t something you think about on a regular basis. While your carpets may look passably clean, they are likely home to an abundance of dirt, grime and other pollutants. Not only are these particles bad for your health, but they can also begin wearing down your carpet fibers when left untreated. This is why it is so important to have your carpet regularly cleaned by a carpet cleaning professional.

How frequently should you have your carpets cleaned?

Determining how often you should have your carpets cleaned can be tricky. While many people vacuum on a regular basis, vacuum cleaners alone are only able to remove a fraction of the dirt your carpet holds. This means that small food particles, dead skin cells, dust mite droppings, pet waste and much more are still hiding in your carpet. Over time, these particles can cause permanent damage and shorten the life of your carpet. A professional deep-cleaning is the best way to remove these particles from deep inside the fibers of your carpet. Here a few questions to ask yourself when determining how frequently your carpets need to be cleaned:

1. Does your carpet have an active warranty? If so, take some time to carefully read the terms and conditions outlined in your warranty. Many carpet manufacturers require carpet owners to have a professional steam cleaning at least once a year. If you do not have a carpet warranty, you may want to consider some of the following variables to help you make this decision.

2. Are there children in the home? It is no secret that children are messy. From sticky little fingers to spilled milk or juice, wherever there are children, there is sure to be mess. With this in mind, having your carpets cleaned at least once every 90 days is the best way to keep them looking their best for as long as possible. More frequent cleanings may be required as spills and drips occur.

Keep in mind that when children are around, you want to have your carpets cleaned before they begin to show stains or signs of soiling. When left untreated, soil can settle into the fibers of your carpet and cause pre-mature damage. Professional carpet cleaning can not only address stains, but can also help remove dirt and grime that you can’t see.

3. How much traffic does your carpet get? Always remember that the more people you have walking around in your home, the more frequently you will need to have your carpet cleaned. It is only natural that bigger families will have more mess than someone who lives alone. A home with very little foot traffic may be able to get away with going 2 years between professional carpet cleanings. On the other hand, a large family may need to have carpets cleaned every 3-6 months.

4. Do you have pets? If you have indoor pets, odds are high that your carpets are no stranger to dirt, urine and all types of pet dander. Because of this, it is highly recommended that pet owners have their carpets cleaned at least once every 6 to 12 months. More frequent cleanings may be required if your pet tends to have accidents inside the home.

Pets tend to shed fur and dander which can easily become trapped among your carpet fibers. When you and your pets walk across the carpet, it can push these particles even deeper into the carpet. While daily vacuuming can help remove some of the pet dander, even the best vacuum can’t remove all of it from your carpet. Professional carpet cleaning companies have special tools that are specifically designed to release these particles from your carpet.

Every home is different and there is no exact science that can help you determine how often to have your carpets professionally cleaned. The exception being cases where there is a carpet warranty that must be adhered to. In those cases, be sure to follow the instructions outlined in your warranty and make sure your cleanings are well documented. Outside of that scenario, these 4 tips should help you decide when it is time to have your carpets professionally cleaned.